Sprouted Potato

These potatoes are from the Hawthorne Valley CSA in Oct 2013, which wintered comfortably in a bag on my kitchen floor. Eyes started to sprout from them in the winter, so I figured I’d be patient and wait for spring planting.

Lots Of Seed Potatoes

There is a lot of work associated with potatoes. I have been warned about Colorado Potato Beetle, which are a significant pest for potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes, all plants in the nightshade (Solanaceae) family. Soil has to be mounded as it grows to protect the tubers from light, which causes a buildup of solanin, which is toxic to eat. Read Cornell’s organic potato production guide.

Update: We are close to the last frost date in the Warwick valley, but wouldn’t you know it, a cold front is upon us right now. I might have been too hasty and planted it too soon.